Thursday, June 29, 2017

Vol State has named Edward Carlton as Director of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS).
Carlton comes most recently from Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital, where he is a
Diagnostic Sonographer. DMS is medical imaging that includes ultrasound
technology. It uses high-frequency sound waves to make images of organs and
other systems in the body.

“In the clinical setting you work
with students a lot,” Carlton said. “That really appeals to me. I would like to
see the program at Vol State expand. Growing the program is important.”

Carlton is in progress with the
Master of Science in Radiologic Science, Education program from Midwestern
State University. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Diagnostic Medical
Sonography from Grand Valley State University. He attended community college in
North Carolina.

The Vol State Sonography Laboratory is
set up like a clinic, with eight beds, each with high-tech imaging units and HD
displays. They also have a state-of-the-art virtual reality simulator for students
to practice more difficult scans and image specific pathologies. For more
information visit www.volstate.edu/dms.

Wednesday, June 28, 2017

We recently announced a preliminary schedule for our eclipse watch event on August 21. Several area news outlets picked it up and ran the schedule, including Fox 17 and News2. A reminder that faculty, staff and students who wish to attend the event, but who will not be working or volunteering, should register, so we can control how many people are on campus. It's easy and only takes a moment to register the whole family if you want. Those who are working or volunteering do not need to register.

Vol State is hosting a Mechatronics open house on July 13. The Tennessean has the story.

Tuesday, June 13, 2017

New programs at Volunteer State
Community College can help adult students who want to earn a college degree. There is an evaluation of life experience called a Prior
Learning Assessment (PLA). It's designed to help students speed up their
steps towards a college degree by evaluating the student's life experiences for
possible college credit. Vol State also offers Academic Fresh Start. This
is an opportunity to disregard previous poor grades that were earned at Vol
State. Students can work to earn higher grades and increase their Grade
Point Average (GPA). There is also much excitement about TN Reconnect,
the newly approved scholarship program starting in fall 2018 that will provide
a tuition-free community college education for most adults in Tennessee. But
even with all of the new assistance, there is still the matter of a person
making room in their life for college. One person that understands that
situation is actually the president of Vol State, Jerry Faulkner. He dropped
out of college as a junior at U-T Knoxville and spent years doing various jobs.

“I realized that what I was getting
out of life was a paycheck and an ulcer,” Faulkner said. “If I was going to
have a more meaningful career, I would need a college education.”

And so, just shy of his thirtieth
birthday, Faulkner went back to college. “It was very scary. The job I left was
pretty good paying. I had a wife and son. We made the decision that I should go
to college full-time. The anticipation before I got in the class was the
scariest part. I had a lot of anxiety because I knew I would be in a classroom
with a lot of younger people.”

Despite the fears, academic
challenges, and the major financial burden of balancing work and school,
Faulkner went on to earn a bachelor’s degree, a master’s degree and then a
Ph.D. When asked what advice he gives to adults considering college, Faulkner
remembers what he felt as an adult student.

“Don’t let fear hold you back. You
can succeed. The likely maturity you gained will make you a better student.
Education is a great vehicle to get you where you want to go. The tassel is
worth the hassle.”

Vol State is encouraging adult
students to consider returning to college even before the TN Reconnect
scholarship program starts in 2018. Adult students may be eligible for Pell
Grants and Vol State scholarships now. Filling out the FAFSA form is the way to
find out what kind of assistance is available. The college offers many evening
and online classes and is piloting new classes that may provide an even better
fit with adult schedules. The office of Veterans Affairs and Adult Learners
provides help for adults in navigating the college process. Academic advisors help
students set-up a plan for the degree they are seeking. For those still
wondering about an academic major, the Advising Center at Vol State offers a
personality inventory that can show the academic areas in which a student might
do well.

In the end, it all comes down to
graduating with a degree or certificate. There were many adult graduates in the
audience at the recent Vol State spring commencement ceremony.

“I have new best friends and none
of them are over 24 years old,” said Les Lyle of Lebanon. “The PTA (Physical
Therapist Assistant) program has opened doors for me. I have several job
opportunities available to me now.”

Vol State has a web page especially
designed for adult students. They’re encouraged to visit www.volstate.edu/adult. Then students
can use the website to explore the more than 90 degree programs the college
offers. Help is also available on the phone at 615-230-3688 and in-person at the
Vol State campus locations in Gallatin, Springfield, Cookeville and Livingston.

Pictured: Les Lyle came to Vol State after
a layoff. He had been with the same company for 35 years. He now has an
associate of applied science degree.

Friday, June 9, 2017

Vol State History professor, Carole Bucy, is one of the
experts interviewed for a new Nashville Public Television documentary- Cheekwood:
A Masterpiece by Man & Nature. This is what NPT says about the show: “This
month, Cheekwood completes a major renovation to return much of the house and
gardens to their original glory. At this pivotal moment of rebirth, NPT’s
original documentary, Cheekwood: A Masterpiece by Man & Nature, ventures
behind the scenes for an in-depth look at the mansion and grounds. The
30-minute program premieres Thursday, June 22, at 8 p.m. Cheekwood: A Masterpiece by Man & Nature
will also be available for online viewing at wnpt.org.

Tuesday, June 6, 2017

Vol State Logistics Management students were recently awarded Delta Nu Alpha
(DNA) Transportation Society scholarships. Students Brian Beddoes,
Adam Mamula, and William Stroud received their award
checks at the annual DNA Scholarship Dinner. For more information about the
Logistics Management program at Vol State visit www.volstate.edu/logistics.

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The Vol State Insider is produced by the Office of Public Relations. It's a newsletter blog designed primarily for faculty and staff, although everyone is welcome to view and comment. You can contact us at pr@volstate.edu